Braking member for a skateboard

ABSTRACT

A skateboard comprises a board, two wheel units attached to an underside of the board, and a braking member attached to the underside of the board. The braking member includes at least one metallic braking block that is in contact with ground during braking. The metallic braking block sparks during braking to provide an amusement effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a braking member for a skateboard. In particular, the present invention relates to a braking member for a skateboard that provides an amusement effect while braking.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A skateboard generally comprises a board and front and wheel units respectively mounted to front and rear ends of an underside of the board. A braking member is mounted to the underside of the board for contacting with the ground when braking is required. The braking member is generally made of plastic material and thus has a short life as it wears out quickly. In addition, no amusement effect is provided during braking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a braking member for a skateboard that provides an amusement effect while braking.

[0006] A skateboard comprises a board, two wheel units attached to an underside of the board, and a braking member attached to the underside of the board. The braking member includes at least one metallic braking block that is in contact with ground during braking. The metallic braking block sparks during braking to provide an amusement effect.

[0007] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a braking member for a skateboard in accordance with the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the braking member in accordance with the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly exploded, of a skateboard equipped with the braking member in accordance with the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a side view of the skateboard in FIG. 3.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating braking of the skateboard.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a modified embodiment of the braking member in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a braking member 10 in accordance with the present invention generally comprises a first side 11 that is substantially planar and a second side 12 that is substantially arcuate. At least one metallic braking block 20 is provided on the second side 12 of the braking member 10. In this embodiment, three braking blocks 20 of metal are provided. The braking member 10 is formed by molding injection to embed a portion of each braking block 20 in the second side 12 of the braking member 10. Each of two ends of the second side 12 of the braking member 10 includes a hexagonal hole 13, and a hole 14 is defined in each of two ends of the first side 12 of the braking member 10 and aligns with an associated one of the hexagonal holes 13.

[0015] In assembly, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first side 11 of the braking member 10 is attached to an underside 32 of a board 30 of a skateboard. Two nuts 35 are respectively received in the hexagonal holes 13 in the second side 12 of the braking member 10, and two bolts 34 are extended through two holes 33 in the board 30 and the holes 14 as well as the nuts 35. Thus, the braking member 10 is securely attached to the underside 32 of the board 30.

[0016] In use, front and rear wheel units 36 attached to the front and rear ends of the underside 32 of the board 30 allow the skater to skate. When braking is required, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the skater inclines his body to make the metallic braking blocks 20 of the braking member 10 in contact with the ground. The metallic braking blocks 20 of the braking member 10 spark during this braking motion and thus provide an amusement effect. In addition, the life of the braking blocks 20 is longer than the plastic ones.

[0017]FIG. 6 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention, wherein the metallic braking blocks 20 are directly formed on the second side 12 of the braking member 10 by pressing. And the braking member 10 is formed of metal.

[0018] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A skateboard comprising: a board including an underside; two wheel units attached to the underside of the board; and a braking member attached to the underside of the board, the braking member including at least one metallic braking block that is in contact with ground during braking.
 2. The skateboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the braking member is formed by molding injection to embed a portion of said at least one metallic braking block in a side of the braking member.
 3. The skateboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the braking member is made of metal, and wherein said at least one metallic braking block is formed on the braking member by pressing.
 4. The skateboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the braking member includes a first side attached to the underside of the board and a second side opposite to the first side, said at least one metallic braking block is formed on the second side of the braking member.
 5. The skateboard as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first side of the braking member includes two ends each having a hole, the second side of the braking member including two ends each having a hexagonal hole aligned with an associated one of the holes in the first side of the braking member, two nuts being securely received in the hexagonal holes in the second side of the braking member, further comprising two bolts extending through the holes in the first side of the braking member and the nuts.
 6. The skateboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one metallic braking block sparks during braking. 